I had a silver/red 03 f4i for the last 4 years. September 2013 I was forced to sell it, it's too long of a story. I am now able to buy another bike for 5k or less.
I was looking at Suzuki DR-Z400sm new or used and also a new Honda CB500F (I know the new suzuki or honda is over 5k I would finance at that point) but I really miss my F4i but haven't found any for sale at any price. If anybody has one for sale or knows where I can find one please let me know.

 

I got my '02 with 22,000 miles for $2900 cash in January. Buying in the winter is cheaper but I'm sure there's still good deals out there. 5k is waaay more than enough. My bike looks awesome too, I think it's the best on this forum

Craigslist is your friend, but PLEASE meet in a safe place. A guy in my town got shot in a craigslist trade. They took his bike and just left him to bleed. Showing up with cash is more dangerous and impossible to trace if the guy robs you. They might not even own a bike, only a gun. When I sold my car I did everything INSIDE a bank. They will notarize everything for free, check the cash for counterfeit, and give you a theft-proof cashier's check so it's the perfect place for these deals. If they really have the bike they should be able to show it to you in the bank parking lot.

This site can search all of craigslist and it works better than some of the other similar sites I've used. You can even narrow it to the region of the US you're in.
http://www.searchalljunk.com/

 

This for $2900 I've added a lot of stuff, it was basically stock when I got it.

 

If you pay 5k for an F4i it had better be showroom new or have the latest and greatest ohlins and brembo all around on it. These things are cheap at their age.

 

By March, you are already into the higher price season. As the weather gets warmer, prices are likely to get higher. $5k is a lot to pay for a used DRZsm, brand new CBR500F is an interesting bike, great for city jaunts, maybe not as much fun as F4i when pace is spirited in the twisties.

I see F4i come up for sale quite often, prices usually range under $3.5k in my area. The later year models tend to list for around $4k, personally I never talk about price until I see the bike in person to get a fair estimate of the bike's condition. Aside fron the engine running, chain/sprocket/tire/brake pads/rotors conditions, head/swing arm bearings, all to be considered before offering a purchase price. Always make an offer that you are willing to walk away w/out purchase, never hurt to ask low and come back up.

 

Agreed with all the above. 5gs is quite abit for an F4i. I paid 3400. for my silver/red MINT 02 a couple seasons ago. Mind you I bought it in October, but still..


Interesting considering the first mod people talk about after buying the later models is the split-seat conversion. Knuckleheads trying to sell sportbikes based on NADA/KBB.

 

2003 Honda CBR600 F4i

Looks like your old one, no? Its in NC, but dont know where this is from you.

Ahh, just read closer, cracked front faring. Still found several in your neck of the woods for well under 5k

 

I found an 03 F4i with 4900 miles on it with no dents or scratches for $3600.
Turns out the guy selling it is a customer of mine and brought it to the gun shop I work at.
I always have people meet me there during the day. I carry a pistol and so do all my coworkers and I invite a police officer buddy or two to fully insure nobody will try anything stupid.